Inverness manager Terry Butcher has hit back at claims that he is only interested in signing players from England.

Butcher has used contacts in his country of birth to bolster the Inverness squad but he is keen to stress that he is prepared to look at players from anywhere in the world.

"Let's not get this misconception that we only sign players from down south," he said. "We don't.

"It's not just the English market. We look at players from everywhere and make sure that we scan what's available, no matter where they are, what country they are in, or what nationality they are.

"If we feel they can improve the football club, then we'll try and bring them here."

Butcher is also delighted to have persuaded many of his current first-team squad to stay and sign new deals with the Highland club.

"I'm just delighted with the one's that have re-signed because we lost a heck of a lot last season," said Butcher.

"But we've managed to keep a lot here as well, which has set a really good foundation for next season.

"We've just got one or two to add to that, if we can, in terms of new contracts and then one or two more to bring in.

"There will still be a few coming in next season, but they will probably not be at the top end of the pay scale, more the lower end.

"If Andrew Shinnie goes and others go then we'll try and replace them with as much quality as we can.

"However, we've got the nucleus of the team still here, guys like Ryan Esson, Josh Meekings, Gary Warren, Graeme Shinnie, Richie Foran, Billy McKay, Ross Draper and Nick Ross, so all of a sudden that's a good shape for the team."